Chief Communications & Corporate Affairs Officer

Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls and the leading authority on their healthy development. Millions of Girl Scout alums across the country and the world have gone on to achieve incredible things and make a tremendous impact in fields ranging from public policy, medicine, journalism, and athletics to international relations, science, technology, art, and entertainment.

As a mission-driven organization, Girl Scouts of the USA champions girls as they explore their worlds, try new things, and develop the courage, confidence, and character to make the world a better place. From stargazing during a first overnight camping trip to building robots, navigating a rocky hiking trail, working together on a community project, and learning about the importance of environmental stewardship, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can unapologetically be themselves. As they rise to meet new challenges, they also discover the issues that matter most to them. Along the way, they learn the power of friendship, connection, and teamwork.

Girl Scouts are doers, innovators, problem-solvers, creators, and dreamers, and the GSUSA team is here to center, support, and inspire them, working with 111 local councils across the country and USA Girl Scouts Overseas to deliver our life-changing Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

Girl Scouts of the USA is seeking a highly strategic Chief Communications & Corporate Affairs Officer (CCCAO) to serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors, and Council Leadership. This executive will shape and guide the organization's external and internal communications strategies, lead crisis communications and sensitive issues response, and advise government and public affairs engagements. Additionally, the CCCAO will support stewardship of the Birthplace Museum and GSUSA's cultural assets and archives.

As a key member of the executive leadership team, the CCCAO will lead the development and execution of high-impact communications and corporate affairs strategies that enhance GSUSA's relevance, amplify its voice on national and global platforms, and strengthen its influence among internal and external stakeholders. This role will be instrumental in driving membership growth, protecting and advancing the organization's reputation, and positioning Girl Scouts as a thought leader.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the CCCAO will lead four dynamic teams-Movement Communications, Public Affairs, Internal & External Communications, and the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace. This role will work closely with 111 councils nationwide to protect and enhance GSUSA's reputation within the Girl Scout Movement and among external audiences, including domestic and global partners, corporations, trade associations, government entities, media, influencers, Girl Scout volunteers, and other interested parties.

The CCCAO oversees a staff of 50 full-time and part-time employees while managing an annual operating budget of approximately $1.8MM.

This is an opportunity for a mission and values-aligned communications professional to join the executive management team at one of the largest and most established social impact organizations.

Areas of Leadership

Executive Team & Leadership Support

Strategic Advisory Role to CEO, Board of Directors, & Council Leadership: Provide expert strategic counsel to the CEO, GSUSA Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and leadership teams across 111 local councils, ensuring alignment on key priorities and guiding high-level decision-making that shapes the future of Girl Scouts. This includes counsel on complex issues, crisis response, and reputation management initiatives that enhance the organization's influence and visibility. This role is essential in elevating the Girl Scouts' mission, vision, and impact, strengthening its position as a leading voice for girls and communities nationwide.

Relationship Management with Agency Partner: Oversee and cultivate a relationship with the agency partner, ensuring alignment on priorities and maximizing impact through effective collaboration and guidance.

External Communications

• External Communications & Media Relations Strategy: Lead the team on development and execution of external communications and media relations strategies, ensuring cohesive messaging that aligns with the organization's values and goals. Media relations strategy encompasses both paid and earned media and cultivating strong relationships and partnerships.

Thought Leadership & Executive Communications Support: Identify and create high-impact thought leadership opportunities for both leadership and the organization that highlight Girl Scouts' core values. These opportunities should amplify the organization's relevance in key spaces and foster collaboration and strategic partnerships that strengthen GSUSA's voice as a thought leader in youth development. Build a thought leadership plan inclusive of speaking engagements, media placements, and other opportunities to enhance GSUSA's executive visibility.

Issue Management & Crisis Response

• Sensitive Issues & Risk Management: Oversee ongoing issues management, working closely with the GSUSA executive team to ensure proactive measures, preparedness, and well-developed response strategies to mitigate reputational risk.

Crisis Communications: Continuously assess potential risks, manage emerging issues, and craft crisis communication plans to support leadership in responding swiftly to reputational threats. Lead media outreach during urgent situations, ensuring timely and transparent messaging.

Internal (Movement) Communications

Internal/Movement Relations: Develop and execute internal enterprise-wide strategies to reinforce strong alignment with the Girl Scout Movement, while allowing flexibility to address specific needs within the 111 local councils and other stakeholders and in consideration of macro environment factors beyond the Movement.

Public Affairs

Government & Global Relations: Support GSUSA's DC office with government relations efforts at the federal and state levels, advocating for policy initiatives that benefit Girl Scouts and further the organization's mission. Build and maintain international relationships with the global Girl Scout and Girl Guide community, fostering cross-border collaboration and leadership opportunities for girls.

Birthplace Museum and Cultural Assets

Leadership of the Birthplace Museum and Cultural Assets Teams: Provides strategic advisory to the Savannah, GA-based Birthplace Museum team with the broader GSUSA teams, ensuring seamless collaboration and alignment. Focus on the strategic alignment of storytelling to amplify Girl Scout history and heritage, ensuring the narratives reflect the organization's core mission and resonate with today's audience.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Decision-Making, High Accountability, maintenance and growth for the Community; Strong people leaders, leading major sub-communities or major initiatives projects that have substantial long-term implication for the organization/ movement. Strong fiscal responsibility.

• Demonstrated success in developing and executing large-scale external communication strategies for national and complex organizations, and internal communications.
• Strong background in executive communications and positioning senior leaders in the public eye.
• Expertise in managing media relations and securing positive coverage for an organization.
• Crisis management experience with the ability to act swiftly and strategically to protect the organization's reputation.
• Experience crafting executive strategies and aligning them with organizational goals and priorities.
• Deep understanding of government relations, public policy, and advocacy efforts, particularly in a nonprofit or social-impact context.
• Experience navigating and operating within complex corporate structures, including multi-level corporations, federated nonprofit models, national associations, or similar organizations.
• Proven ability to inspire and lead teams, with experience in managing geographically diverse and hybrid teams.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with CEOs and/or Board leadership in a corporate or nonprofit setting.

Degree or Equivalent Experience: Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience required.

Experience: 15+ years of experience in corporate, nonprofit, consulting, or consumer communications, with at least 10 years as a senior communications leader.

Position Type: This is a full-time, hybrid position with 2 days on site. Girl Scouts of the USA is based in New York City.

Compensation Range: Annual base salary range is between $325,000 - $375,000 + bonus potential.

Travel: Yes 15% No

AAP/EEO Statement: GSUSA is an equal employment opportunity employer.

What We Offer:

Girl Scouts is powered by people, and we encourage our team members to be their best selves in and out of the office. We place a high priority on flexibility and offer a competitive employee salary and benefits package that includes:

Paid Time Off:

GSUSA offers 20+ days of paid time off, 2 floating holidays, as well as 9 workplace holidays per year. GSUSA staff also enjoy a paid holiday year-end office closure between Christmas and New Year's.

Other Benefits:

• Medical and Behavioral Health Coverage
  • Plan options with individual and family coverage which includes wellness, hospitalization, and fertility assistance.
  • Both plans include GSUSA partial subsidy of premium costs
  • Dental and vision coverage
• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) including Health, Dependent Care, and Limited FSA for those with Health Savings Accounts
• Company-paid life insurance
• Flexible work arrangements
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• 401(K) with company match
• Short- and Long-Term Disability for salary continuation
• Health and Wellness Classes and Activities throughout the year
• Access to Employee Engagement Groups